Garment



L. A. BARNUM Junev17, 1924.

GARIMENT Filed NOV. 20, 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY.

June 17 1924. 1,497,767 I; A. BARNUM GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1922 BY @M;

ATTORNEY.

Patented June 17, 1924.

LAURA A. BABNIUIVI,

PATENT oFFIcE.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

GARMENT.

A pplication filed November 20, 1922. Serial No. 602,211,

To all whom it mag concern Be it known that I, LAURA A. BARNUM, of New York, New York, have invented certain Improvements in Garments, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is aspecification, like characters in the specification and on the drawings designating like parts. This invention relates to garments and particularly to the adaptation of corsets for surgical purposes, with special reference to affording abdominal support, although I contemplate the use of my improvements in any field for whichthey are adapted by their nature.

An important object of my invention is to construct the parts of the corset in the environment of the hips in such a manner as to avoid that rigid constraint of theilium or bony hip formationwhich isothe source of actual torture in many existing types of corsets and in the regulation truss and similar supports as constructed in existing practice.

Accordingly I construct my improved garment, comprising usually two opposed sections, as usual in corsets, of a plurality of layers, the outer layer being formed of material provided with stiffening members, and the inner layer, or lining, being formed of elastic material, substantially co -extensive with the outer layer, exceptat theregion of the usual upright stay members, and secured to the outer layer, the latter being interrupted, in accordance with my invention,

at the iliac region on each side, so that each ilium of the wearer is confined only by the elastic lining, giving great comfort and ease of movement, whether or not the garment is provided with the supporting devices which I prefer to combine therewith in cases requiring special surgical support,

and which I will now describe.

In providing for this portion of my invention I have devised a member, preferably of flat metal, arched to extend higher than the crest of the ilium and of suitable contourito rest snugly at all portions of its surface in contact with the fleshy portions of the wearers body, having its forward terminus at the lower abdominal zone, low enough to yield an uplift support thereto, while the rearward terminus of this arched member is adjacent to the lower portion of the lumbar region of the wearer, at the region of greatest strength, somewhat below the waist line.

Preferably one of these members will be provided upon each side of the body, con-- nected respectively in front to any suitable form of, pad or other appliance which may be prescribed to fit the area requiring treat-, ment, and to support prolapsed organs and relaxed abdominal 'walls, such appliance being preferably separate from, and independent of, the corset proper, in front, while the arched supporting members are preferably connected, near their termini, to the back steels or bones of the corset by suitable means, such as a screw stud entering one or another of a series ofholes with which the supporting members may be provided for purposes of adjustable attachment.

By this important feature oflmy invention, the act of lacing the corset is utilized to draw up the depending members and attached appliance with an upward, backward traction, and as the parts are unattached in front the corset can shift with the move ments of the body without disturbing the support, whose anchorage at the rear of the corset is at the curved region where there is minimum play of the corset, but nevertheless whei'e'thereis absolute conformity to the contour of the body, ,so that firm, unyielding support is secured without in terference with fit, and absolutely without the discomfort ordinarily arising from contact with the ilium. i 5

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and describedfully in the accompanying drawings and specifications and pointed out in the claims,

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of a corset in the construction of which my improveirients have been embodied, the same being shown in placeupon a wearer;

Figure 2 is a view of the same in rear elevation, showing the anchorageand upward arch of the supporting members; and

Figure 3 is a View in front elevation, with the corset members held away from the sup porting appliances, showing the independent character of the combined parts when in cooperative relation,

In the embodiment of my invention se lected for illustration and description to permit ready and complete understanding of my improvements, the part designated by usualfashion as indicated at 17 in Fig. 1.

ln accordance with an important object of'inventio'n, I prefer to construct the lower halves or sections, 3 and 5, of two pliesofinaterial, 4 and 6 respectively, (see Figs. 1 and, 3) theply or layer 4 in each section being formed of'material provided with stiffening members 8, while the inner ply or lining 6'in each section is formed of elastic material substantially co-extensive with the outer layer 4, except at the region of the steels forbones 7, 8, and 9, the lining 6 being securedlto the layer .4 near its boundary, butfsubstantially free centrally, to afford maximum elasticity, and in accordance with an important object" of my invention the layer 4 of each section is interrupted at its central portion, over the iliac region, leaving each iliiini ofthe wearer confined only by the portion of the elastic lining; designated by" the reference character 10 respectively, The liningfi may be stitched lightly to the layer V 4 around,this interrupted region, if desired,

but" preferably in such a manner as not to interfere withthe elasticity of the lining 6.

this construction I avoid entirely any unhealthful and uncomfortable abrasion or bruising of the iliac region, but by forming the elastic lining 6 substantially co-entensive with {the layer 41 provide for an easy play of th ejliunrwithout diminishing its proper support, a provision wholly lacking in garments of a similar character as heretofore constructed and a novel feature which 1 claim broadly.

In accordance with another important ob ject ofmy invention, I provide supporting members. 21, of any suitable form, material and" numbers, of which two are shown in the instance selected for illustration, one for each side of the corset, being made each of a flat strip of flexible spring steel bent n an archdike curve to mount above the hip and conform to the contour of that portion adjacent to the waist line, resting upon the fleshy parts in order to avoid any contact withthe b'ony hip structure in the region of the ilium.

From this arched portion of the members 21,,therear end of each is extended around to a region of support 23 near the region of greatest strength of the back, and is preferably secured firmly to a sufficiently strong portion of the corset to yield the requisite stability, and the region of, and means for,

this support may vary to suit the exigencies of particular embodiments of my invention.

ward portions 31 ofthe members21 are concealed beneath the lower members3 and; 5, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. f

By carrying the connecting portions of the members 21 outside the corset',theirsupport and pressure are transferredf'fromthe flesh of the wearers 'back tolthe :steels'wh-ich distribute the load, and obv'iate any discomfort.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the supporting portions 31 connected to a surgical appliance 33, which may be of any suitable character, as prescribed to meet the needs of the'wea'r'er, one convenient appliance being the wellknown form of pad shown, having two parts, 33 and 34, designedto afford support to relaxed abdominal walls andprola-psed organs, the particular characteiof thispad forming no feature of my present invention, although thefiexible, resilient nature of iny attachment members 31', arched out of contact with the bony hip portions, renders my attachment of particular value to use the support of this appliance." Means will be provided preferably, in accordance with my inventi0n,to connect th'e members 31 to the appliance '33, Such as screws 36, and any suitable forni'of connection may be used, the cllasp'35 beingone convenient form of connector, the connection being accomplishedby studs 37 on'one por tion of the pad, which in the instance illustrated is divided, these studs enteringkey hole slots 38 in the clasp 35. I In operation, the members 21 having been passed through the apertures 29 and secured to the back steels 7 and 9 with the binding screws 27 passing through the selected hole of the series 25, asshown inn-1g; ,2, ,the wearer will don the corset and while the front thereof is still open,as in Fig; 3, the wearer will proceed to adjust the clasp 35, connecting the supporting portionsi3f1 of the members 21 and the pad parts 33 and 34.

The pad parts 33, and 34 and the'suppo'rting members 31. may then be moved to the exact position prescribed, and will be held there by the nature of the arched structure 21 and its connection to back of'the'corset', but the appliance parts 33 and 34 may, and

preferably will, be left quite free from connection with the front portions 3 and 5 of the corset, so that when the lower parts are closed and connected in usual fashion as shown in Fig. 2, and the upper parts 13 and 15 are similarly closed and fastened, as at 17 in Fig. 1, the corset will present the usual appearance, with the supporting portions concealed by the corset but independent of the front portions of the corset, which are free to move with the movements of the wearer, and no constraint whatever-is imposed upon the iliac region.

Having illustrated and described my in-! vention thus fully, and suitable means'by which the same may be carried into effect, I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself to the specific form of construction and material selected for illustration and description, nor in general do I limit portions, said outer layer having wide horizontal portions of less elastic fabric extending across said elastic lining at thertop and bottom to connect said stiffened portions,

. imparting strength and form-fitting qualities, and said outer layer being interrupted centrally at the iliac region to .leave the ilium confined only by said elastic lining, the latter affording elastic support,'throughout its length, to the body of the wearer.

2. The combination with a corset comprising halves each having an outer. layer" of fabric provided with upright front and rear stiffening members, of an attachment comprising a plurality of members of flat, resilient metal secured respectively by adjustable connecting means tothe outside of the rear stiffening members of said corset at a region below, the waistline, and said fiat members having arched portions bent into conformity with the contour of the fleshy supra-iliac region close to the waist-, line on each side, passing at said arched region through apertures in said corset into the interior thereof and downward to the frontal region below the abdomen, to sup port the latter, and means to connect said forward portions of said members, in such a manner as to afford uplift support to the abdomen, leaving free the forward portion of the corset-halves, respectively; each of said corset-halves being provided also with an inner lining of elastib material extend ing from top to bottom intermediate said front and rear stiffened portions; said inner lining being confined at the top and bottom by wide horizontalportions of less elastic V fabric, forming part of saidoute'r layer and extending across said lining to connect said front and rear portions with less'elastic material, imparting strength and form-fitting qualities; and said outer layer being interrupted centrally at the iliac region to leave said elastic lining free at said region, said lining atfordingelastic support, throughout its length, to the body of the wearer.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 19th day of October, 1922.

LAURA A. BARNUM; 

